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The Minerva-KAI (or simply “Kai”) is a revised version of the Minerva-RE, built with the purpose of being a swift back-up should the Minerva-RE be heavily damaged or inoperational. The Kai is also has a miniaturized variation of the Type-One’s flight module integrated into its armor, granting it sustained flight with very limited performance unlike the specialized Type-One.

Like the original, the Kai’s processor core and power supply are set as separate modules for better, specialized management of the unit’s various applications.

Aside from integration with a watered-down variation of the Type-One into the back of the Kai, the unit may still utilize the Minerva’s Specialist Modules. However, the Kai’s different integrated armor design prohibits mounting of the Type-Three and Type-Four equipment that has been designed to only fit on the original Minerva’s armor. As such, it may only use the Type-Two Sen No Nami buster sword.

Despite being a “revised” variation, the Kai sports decisive, hard-hitting weapons in exchange for quantity:
- A single high-powered particle magnum, hand-carried when in use. The particle magnum fires super-compact, high-caliber particle shots but it can only fire a total of six charges continuously before it needs to be re-charged via the magnetic storage panel on the side of the Kai’s right thigh.
- A single beam saber, hand-carried in use. The beam saber’s output is about the same as the original Minerva and the only difference is its geometric hilt design as opposed to the cylindrical-shaped saber hilts on the original.

Like the original, the Kai does not have a Closed Form. Instead, its armor parts are mounted onto the pilot themselves.

Other features:
- None

I wonder if it's an odd thing to have a revised variation to have better weapons in exchange for quantity and the fact that it cannot use most of the Minerva's Spec Modules...

EDIT to, once again, avoid double-posting:

Academy enrollment scene! Changed from pre re-write Athena version.

Spoiler for Academy:

“C…?”

Tsurugi steps out of a scanning port after it runs a full body scan on her to determine her basic synchronization level with an Infinite Stratos system. The pod displays her result on a screen on the pod’s cover upon closing itself. Outside the pod is a grey-haired female Academy staff watching her with a sharp stare of her teal-colored eyes.

“Have you not any experience with an IS before, Katami-san?”

“Not exactly.”

The staff acknowledges with a nod and ushers her out of the room then leads her towards one of the arenas for her next and final phase of enrollment. While Tsurugi is disheartened by the mediocre synchronization grade, she remains determined as she knows it is way too early to give in.

“Just a question, Katami-san. What is your motivation to enroll in the Academy?”

“Well… I have a few, some of them personal. I’m intrigued by the impression the Infinite Stratos has made to the world and I want to learn what is it about the IS that made that impression.”

The staff remained silent. It has been one of the common answers from almost every single student she has enrolled and yet, something is different for Tsurugi. While her answer may have been a template, there is honesty in her words. Particularly one word; personal, a word very few students use when they initially state their motivations for joining the Academy and yet, unlike the few students who mentioned “personal” as one of their motivations, Tsurugi spoke of the word as though she has nothing to hide.

“It’s true that the IS has made an impression on the world. Then again, you could say the same for some of the world’s advanced military hardware during their time.”

“Well… yeah, you can say that.”

“And yet, you chose to enroll here and not enlist in the military. Why is that?”

Tsurugi remembers Inami and his five-year absence, his return and the surge of terrorist drone attacks that he has been exclusively armed to deter. Unlike Praxidike, the IS Academy is a school, life-threatening combat don’t occur on a daily basis if there are even any. Her ideals lie in reasoning and understanding as opposed to Inami who leans more to decisive physical action for problem-solving.

“I have a friend whom I treasure dearly. He has seen the military way of living… and I, well…”

“You wish to learn and understand things rather than taking action out of shallow judgement?”

It was harsh. The words of the staff certainly relay Tsurugi’s point but the latter part has a spike to it. While it sounded condescending to Inami, she knows that it isn’t true for him. He’s decisive when it comes to tackling problems but never was it for his own personal benefit. He was simply chosen to undertake the task to deter terrorist attacks and he does on the simple grounds that someone will be hurt if he doesn’t do so.

The two eventually arrive at the arena complex where the staff shows her a locker room.

“We’ve prepared pilot suit of various sizes in different lockers. Suit up in the one you are most comfortable with then meet me at the hangar. It’s right around the corner from that exit.”

“Got it, Murakumo-san.”

__________________

"You cannot be bad at watching a movie. You cannot be bad at listening to an album.
...But you can be bad at playing a videogame, and the game will punish you and deny you access to the rest of the videogame."

Last edited by StratoSpear; 2012-12-22 at 03:00.
Reason: Adding a scene

Overall energy efficiency is better, if not the same seeing as most of the gimmicks from the original Minerva gets opted out. Initially I wanted to classify it as a simplified/watered-down version, but after writing the tech desc above... Simplified, maybe. Watered down, absolutely not.

How's the scene btw?

__________________

"You cannot be bad at watching a movie. You cannot be bad at listening to an album.
...But you can be bad at playing a videogame, and the game will punish you and deny you access to the rest of the videogame."

Would it be considered angst if an orphan undertakes a task on the grounds that he will be able to honor his deceased parents and their works by doing so?

__________________

"You cannot be bad at watching a movie. You cannot be bad at listening to an album.
...But you can be bad at playing a videogame, and the game will punish you and deny you access to the rest of the videogame."

The sunlight that streamed down on his face was annoying. That was how Alfred felt as he endured the repetitive onslaught. He was just coming back from recovery of the last incident. It had taken him the better part of a month before he was discharged from the hospital. Even now the after effects were horribly felt. He had willingly cut his own rehabilitation short in hopes of returning home injured and thus having an excuse not to do his daily training schedule.

It was unfortunate for this young man that the contract which landed him in such a state was extended without his notice nor approval. So here he sulked, a nice stretch limo well on its way navigating the grounds of the Alcott estate.

"The main house will be visible soon.", the driver informed.

The bodyguard just sighed. The sheer vastness and beauty of the property losing its grandeur in his eyes. Past clients had always boasted their property so he'd seen much. In comparison to many others, the Alcott estate seemed wild. It looked to be ill-maintained as a hunting ground. Few paths were travelled judging from the way moss and rubbish overtook them.

"Where are the gardeners when you need them?", Alfred mumbled at the passing scenery.

"The gardeners were sadly forced to retire I'm afraid.", the driver provided an answer.

Alfred blinked, not expecting the sudden reply. It was a youthful voice as well, now that he took the time to notice. "That makes sense.", Alfred replied with awkward uncertainty. "Can I ask why they had to retire?".

"Oh, no need to be so reserved. It's simply due to lack of funds to pay them. Not many people are willing to lend their services without proper compensation.", the driver explained the cynical fact cheerily.

This left Alfred preturbed. Mostly for the fact that he was indeed lending his services without compensation. "I suppose.", was his carerfully chosen response.

"You're lucky to be working here mister.", the suddenly talkative driver jipped. "You're probably going to be the first male worker we've had on grounds since miss Alcott took over the estate.".

A half formed snort of incredulity escaped the bodyguard's self-control. "Yeah, right. And you're actually a girl with a low raspy pre-teen voice that I've been mistaking for a guy this whole time.".

It took Alfred a moment or three to analyze the atmosphere and that statement in conjunction with each other. "YOU'RE A GIRL!?".

The driver laughed louder this time, slightly smoother higher notes mixing with the cracking ones. He took off the hat and showed tresses indicative that 'he' was indeed a 'she'. "I've been saying that this whole time sir.", she forced between laughs. "My name is Reese Vagabond. I'm the family driver of the Alcott's. And this-". Reese stopped the car and gestured to the grand house before them where over a dozen women were waiting at the foyer. "is the Alcott estate.".

---------------

First draft I ever wrote on a celphone O.o I'll spoiler it when I open up my computer. Comments are welcome.

In Alfred's defense, he still got it right the first time. He just needed an awkward prompt to confirm it.

EDIT: Tsurugi's enrollment scene.

Spoiler for Tsurugi:

Tsurugi, now dressed in her grey pilot suit, follows the Academy’s staff into the hangar where she is greeted by a sight of a handful of the IS Training unit, the Uchigane, neatly arranged on the side of the hangar bay. Having absolutely no experience with the IS, Tsurugi’s naturally tempted to lay a finger on a Uchigane but she does not wish to risk making a bad impression of herself to the Academy staff which has been guiding her through her entire enrollment process.

“This is the Uchigane. Second-Generation IS units employed by the Academy for training purposes. You will be using one of these in your final phase of enrollment.”

Speechless and in awe, Tsurugi’s sight remains glued to the marvelous samurai-themed Uchiganes. It did not matter to her what Generation the Uchigane was classified as, it’s her first time seeing an IS up close that she could just put her hand forward and touch it.

“How do I get on them…?”

“Touch them.”

Touch, the very thing she has been dying to do upon seeing the Uchiganes and now the Academy staff has given her permission to do so. What else is left for the fresh enrollee as she gently reaches out her arm and places her hand on the Uchigane that’s resting at the middle of the arrangement. Sensations of euphoria surges throughout her body and mind as she feels the cold, hard surface of the Uchigane’s armor plating.

‘This feeling… Is this how Inami felt when he first touched the Minerva…?’

*kyun~*

The Uchigane emits a brief soft hum and immediately glows in bright blue light. The sight of the IS seemingly coming to life amazes Tsurugi beyond anything else and her body suddenly levitates as the glowing training unit disperses into wide digital streams that orbit around her. While Tsurugi’s appalled by the orbiting streams as they form the Uchigane’s silhouette around her limbs and abdomen, the Academy frowns slightly as something seemed off about the IS’ activation.

‘That’s odd… C-Grade enrollees should not have gotten such instantaneous reaction from an IS, let alone a training unit…’

Within seconds, Tsurugi finds herself in the Uchigane’s armor. The elongated mechanical forearms, the armored legs with twin long skirt armors floating on both sides of her waist, covering the entirety of the Uchigane’s legs and the twin floating shoulder armors seemingly held in place above her shoulders.

Everything is alien to Tsurugi, the feeling of being mounted with armor like those of a samurai; she couldn't even begin to describe how it feels to be one with an Infinite Stratos unit. She takes a step forward and slowly moves her arms around, wriggling her fingers, curling them into fists and twisting them about to get a feel of the Uchigane’s range of movement while the Academy staff watches in amusement as she tries to grasp control of the Uchigane.

“I-I’m sorry, Murakumo-san… Guess I got too excited as this is my first time using an IS.”

“That’s okay… Just don’t break anything. Wait here while I set up for your final enrollment test, you’ll be facing an instructor who will gauge your overall capabilities with the IS. Do not disappoint her.”

The staff’s tone was stern but Tsurugi barely showed any signs of fear. While she still doesn’t quite know how to pilot the Uchigane proper, she knows there’s no room for slacking. She has gotten this far and enrollment is within her grasp. It’s understandable as to why the Academy would have such harsh requirements for enrollees to meet given how prestigious of an institution it is let alone the fact that it teaches its students about the highly-advanced and similarly controversial Infinite Stratoses.

After a brief moment, the tall hangar bay doors open towards the arena grounds. Curious of her opponent, Tsurugi steps into the arena’s ground of earth and dirt meant to replicate an earth-based combat environment for students during training sessions. As she enters the area, she sees another Uchigane in the distance and is surprised upon seeing it piloted by the Academy staff that has been ushering her about.

“Murakumo-san…?”

“It’s Murakumo-sensei now, Katami-san!”

Tsurugi’s briefly stunned by the revelation as it turns out that the staff is an Academy instructor. Nevertheless, she shakes off the feeling. She needs to pass this final test. The instructor, Kaori Murakumo, brandishes the Uchigane’s katana as its digital silhouette forms in her grip. Having not a single clue on how to deploy weaponry, Tsurugi’s stuck with her fists ‘…but who fights like that anymore?’ snapped into her mind.

Despite her apparent helplessness, Tsurugi stands ready, closes her eyes and places her right hand on the left side of her waist as though she’s drawing an imaginary sword from a scabbard. The instructor makes a beeline for her with the katana held in front of her right shoulder, placing every soul and heart into defeating the new enrollee.

‘…Shinken.’

Tsurugi hears a soft hum and her hands felt a grip. Her eyelids part in a flash, barely catching sight of the instructor swinging the katana as she swings her right arm out.

*CLANG*

With just one arm, Tsurugi parried the instructor’s two-handed strike. Granted, she has absolute zero experience in piloting an Infinite Stratos but her family line of persistent sword training regiment was all it took to dish out a striking force right off the bat. The instructor stares dumbfounded as she feels the impact force down her arm, not strong enough to rattle her hold on her katana but it’s undoubtedly the strongest hit she has blocked from a student, less likely a fresh enrollee.

__________________

"You cannot be bad at watching a movie. You cannot be bad at listening to an album.
...But you can be bad at playing a videogame, and the game will punish you and deny you access to the rest of the videogame."